DIY: Distress Your Own Denim!
Who hasn't wanted a unique pair of denim in their wardrobe? Thankfully, distressing denim is an easy DIY project that will turn your jeans into one-of-a-kind originals.
Creating Ripped Denim
Here's what you'll need:
- Exacto knife
- Olfa mat, cutting board or cardboard
- Sandpaper
To create ripped denim, first find the exact spot you want to put the holes, than place either an olfa mat, a cutting board or a sturdy piece of cardboard under the area. Next, using the exacto knife, make horizontal cuts in the fabric one-half to one inch apart in the desired area you want the rip or rips to appear. Then rub the fabric back and forth with the sandpaper until you get the desired effect. That's all it takes!.
Creating Lighter Patches of Denim
To create lighter patches of denim, you need to rub the fabric with sandpaper. By using rough sandpaper, more holes will appear in the denim. If you don't want any holes, opt for a sandpaper that is less coarse.
Fading the Color of Denim
Here's what you'll need:
- Bleach
- A paintbrush
- A bucket or container
- Water
- Rubber gloves
You can fade an entire article of denim by letting it soak in a mixture of 50% water and 50% bleach. Use your hands (wear gloves) or a wooden spoon to stir the garment and to insure the bleach mixture covers the entire garment. It's recommended that you check on the denim every hour or so to make sure the color is not fading too fast to your liking.
If you'd rather lighten only a specific area of the denim, try using a paintbrush to put the bleach exactly where you want the faded color to appear.
That's all there is to it. Using these simple DIY techniques, you can create your own one of a kind denim fashions! And since you have to have the denim to start with, here's a link to the Velvet Heart Denim Collection where you'll find some great fitting denim styles.
